504 Plans for Your Child with IBD

A 504 plan is an action plan developed by your child’s school and your family (child and child’s legal parent or guardian). The plan should have a list of accommodations that will help your child to be successful in school while managing their IBD. Accommodations are adjustments that are made to reduce the impact of a child’s health condition or disability on their learning. 504 plans apply at public schools, but can apply to private schools, if the school receives federal funding.

Your child’s IBD diagnosis qualifies them for a 504 plan. Your child’s 504 plan may include accommodations like:

• Unlimited restroom access
• Stop-the-clock-testing
• Options to make up missed class time for medical appointments and illness without penalty
• Tutoring after a specific period of absence due to disease flare up at no cost. Each school district may have different guidelines for how many consecutive absences per week qualifies your child for home tutoring. Your child is entitled to home tutoring at no cost.
• Full participation in extracurricular activities even after classroom absences
• Waive or limit physical education. Children with IBD are not automatically excluded or excused from physical education, but adjustments to physical education requirements can be written into a 504 Plan.

Include your child in identifying accommodations that may help them.

Your child can be symptom free (in remission) right now but may experience active symptoms (flare ups) later in the school year. Just because you have a plan in place, does not mean you must use all the adjustments. We recommend having a plan in place even if your child is in remission so that the plan is ready if it is needed.

You are your child’s best advocate. Take an active role early. Work with your school district and educate them about IBD as well as your child’s needs.

First, ask for a 504 plan. That can be done verbally or in writing. It can come from the parents, guardians, or the school.

If you do not already have a letter or medical report from your child’s healthcare team which confirms your child’s IBD diagnosis, please ask your child’s healthcare provider for one. It may take up to 2 weeks to get a letter. This letter should be submitted directly to your child’s school.

Contact your child’s school guidance counselor or point person at the school (this may be the Director of Special Services) to discuss the development of a 504 Plan.

• If your child’s school does not approve your 504 plan or if you disagree with the evaluation decision plan set by your child’s school, you can request a due process hearing. Review “Notice of Parents and Student Rights” under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for more information.
• Parents can also file a complaint with the school district’s 504 Coordinator. This position may be called by another name in different school districts. For more information visit k12.wa.us/aboutospi/contact-us/how-file-complaint.

• Check in regularly with your child and their teachers to see if the plan is working.
• Ask your child whether they feel comfortable using the accommodations that are included in the 504 Plan.
• Changes can be made at the school’s discretion and at the parent’s request throughout the year.
• Share new health situations that arise for your child with your child’s school.

• Americans with Disability Act - ada.gov
• Understood - Understood.org
• Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation - crohnscolitisfoundation.org